The Germont building

This first 18th century building was built in 1766 to the plans of the Rouen architect Louis Gilbert (who would later build two others) thanks to a large donation of 230,000 pounds from the abbot Jacques-Christophe de Germont and his sister-in-law.

Originally called the Purity building, before being referred to as the Monsieur and Madame de Germont building, it is a square-shaped building with a beautiful corner pavilion, located at the intersection of Rue de Germont and Rue Edouard Adam. It is on each of the ends of this square that the later constructions of the 19th century will be based.

It is a classic 18th century building, made of brick and stone, with a ground floor and two upper floors with numerous windows. The facade is punctuated by stone bands and cornices and pilasters. It is covered by a Mansard-style slate roof with numerous hipped dormers, i.e. 3-sloped dormers.

Two black marble plaques, one on the Rue de Germont and Rue Edouard Adam side and the other on the Cour Leschevin side, bear the inscription "de la bienfaisance de Mr et Mme De Germont" in gold letters.